"Le Monde": The Gambling Epidemic Strikes Ukrainian Soldiers

The French newspaper "Le Monde" reported that online gambling sites have caused devastation among Ukrainian army soldiers. The newspaper noted that this has raised scrutiny from President Volodymyr Zelensky. It detailed that Ukrainian unit commander Pavlo Petryshynko submitted a petition with 25,000 signatures collected in a few hours, addressing the destruction caused by online gambling against Ukrainian soldiers. This initiative comes following concerns expressed by Petryshynko about the harm caused by gambling among Ukrainian troops. Petryshynko stated that some soldiers view online gambling as the only way to cope with stress, making them particularly vulnerable to psychological risks. The newspaper also highlighted that the petition raises national security concerns, especially with fears that Russian online casinos are targeting the personal data of military personnel. Some soldiers and opposition deputies confirmed these concerns, pointing out that the majority of frontline soldiers suffer from online gaming addiction issues. However, other voices, like commander Stanislav Ponyatov, opposed this viewpoint, stating: "Most addiction problems relate to soldiers in the rear, who have little to do in their spare time." The newspaper clarified that despite the differing opinions, it is difficult to accurately assess the impact of gambling on the Ukrainian army, noting that the Gambling and Lottery Regulation Commission, responsible for player protection, has faced criticism for lacking effective oversight of this sector. Online gambling has flourished in Ukraine in recent years, leading to significant revenue generation. The newspaper confirmed that Petryshynko's petition has prompted the government to consider measures to regulate the sector, including dissolving the regulatory commission. It pointed out that the ongoing debate regarding gambling in the Ukrainian army reflects broader tensions within society about regulating this growing sector.